This week is known as Shabbos HaGadol as it was the last Shabbos in Galus before the redemption when the sheep was tied up and the Egyptians in panic to see their god be subdued by each and every Bnei Yisrael family. This week we read Malachi 3:4 to the end: 3 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. 24 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; and Eliyahu will announce the coming of the Moshiach (speedily in our days).

Acharei Mos

Originally I was in an academic mood to discuss the Yom Kippur Service (Avoda) in the Beis HaMikdash. For the two scapegoats are similar to the two pigeons or doves mentioned in last week’s Parsha. One cannot distinguish between them

16:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD, and died … 7 And he shall take the two goats, and set them before the LORD at the door of the tent of meeting. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats: one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for Azazel. 9 And Aaron shall present the goat upon which the lot fell for the LORD, and offer him for a sin-offering. 10 But the goat, on which the lot fell for Azazel, shall be set alive before the LORD, to make atonement over him, to send him away for Azazel into the wilderness.

The goat sent to the wilderness would atone for all of Yisrael’s sins. One other property was that the man who brought the goat to the wilderness would die that year but he was guaranteed that all his sins would be forgiven and the would have a high place in the next world. People of a certain age group would vie for this spot.

11 And Aaron shall present the bullock of the sin-offering, which is for himself, and shall make atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself. 12 And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil. 13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the ark-cover that is upon the testimony, that he die not.

Aaron’s sons had gone in before the Aharon HaBris and died so he would bring in the incense which would exclude the Malach HaMaves (angel of death) so that he would live.

We have the Peyout (song/poem) on Yom Kippur the looks of the Cohain which we sing on Yom Kippur (Maray Cohain).

…26 And he that lets go the goat for Azazel shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he may come into the camp. 27 And the bullock of the sin-offering, and the goat of the sin-offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall be carried forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung. 28 And he that burns them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.

The spiritual impurity comes from all the sins of the Bnei Yisrael dissolving with the Korban going upon the Mizbayach.

29 And it shall be a statute forever unto you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls,

Our Rabbis interpreted this to me abstention from eating, bathing, washing, wearing shoes and marital relations on Yom Kippur.

and shall do no manner of work, the home-born, or the stranger that sojourns among you. 30 For on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall ye be clean before the LORD. 31 It is a Sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute forever.

And I was planning to go into greater details on the subject. However sometimes Inyanay Diyoma dictate what a Rabbi writes in his weekly Drasha. One is the standard blood libel that Arabs are now using against us after the Christians stopped their pogroms for Pessach. And that is below and the second was dictated by the article on coed dormitories and now coed showers. The USA is going downhill with some politicians, equalizing the sexes and promiscuity. For the downfall of Sodom, Greece and Rome were from the promiscuity. Everybody has an evil inclination but it is time to stop. My wife had to shut down Dr. Phil today when my granddaughters came to clean for Pessach because he discussed a book – the latest good night kiss is oral sex and the girls were starting as young as the 7^th grade and my oldest granddaughter is that age! Fortunately she is learning in an all-girls Orthodox School with no proms. The children were returning favors for money and drugs to strangers and did not think of it as prostitution thanks to Bill Clinton’s moral statements.

…17:10 And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that eats any manner of blood, I will set My face against that soul that eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

Kares in the next world a similar punishment to not observing Shabbos, Yom Kippur, eating forbidden fat, incest, not observing the Mikvah with family purity, idolatry, etc.

11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life. 12 Therefore I said unto the children of Israel: No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourns among you eat blood. 13 And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that takes in hunting any beast or fowl that may be eaten, he shall pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. 14 For as to the life of all flesh, the blood thereof is all one with the life thereof; therefore I said unto the children of Israel: Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh; for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof; whosoever eats it shall be cut off. 15 And every soul that eats that which dies of itself,

Trafe or that which is torn of beasts, Nevaila

whether he be home-born or a stranger, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even; then shall he be clean. 16 But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.

18:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: I am the LORD your God. 3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do; neither shall ye walk in their statutes.

Both cultures of Egypt and Canaan were famed for incest, idolatry and other sickening sexual practices which were worse that the women who worked for the fertility cults but listed below.

4 Mine ordinances shall ye do, and My statutes shall ye keep, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. 5 Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and Mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.

In the year 5766, I opened up this section with the words: The Parsha then continues with all the disgusting and abominably horrifying types of relationships and human behavior that the Egyptians practiced and some groups practice today. It did not go into the depravity of the Romans or the modern acceptance of homosexual marriage. This was unheard of at the time of Sinai. Even Sodom and Amorah were better behaved that the disgusting parades that now exist in cities of democracies. We see here that these acts are called not disgusting but abominations. So where do we go from here? We have nobody to turn to – not the religious mayor of Yerushalayim – but only to OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. Yes, my friends only OUR FATHER OUR KING can save us from the mass media engulfing the world. Evil catches on easily it is much easier to be crooked, to cheat on one’s partner than to refrain. It is easier to go to a Big Mac than run half way across town for an expensive Kosher meal. Chametz is readily available on Pessach by get weight and stomach problems with Matzos, when there is an easy way out. But are we then a slave to our food fetish or are we free to live without our Jewish laws for freedom has a price of severity and self-discipline. For in a democracy one can have relations with whom one wants. But to be free and above our Yetzer we must observe marriage, family purity laws and choose somebody who is worthy of being our full partner throughout our future life (if possible) and worthy of educating our off spring.

In 5767 I wrote: Yet you might say, “I have seen very wicked people rise up to Prime Minister and suspicious monetary behavior of the Finance Minister and more.” Do not be fooled by people getting their share in this world for they may lose most of their shares in the world to come and in the new world(s) that will exist after the Moshiach comes and the dead shall rise. Egypt was famous for Pharaohs marrying their daughters or sisters to keep the dynasty closed and Greece and Rome did about just every impropriety under the sun, yet Am Yisrael was a holy nation. If you happen to see any of these ancient dynasties still around let me know. However, I have met people who are ben after ben from David Melech Yisrael and the dynasty is alive and well and just waiting for the Moshiach.

`In 5769 I wrote:` The L-RD despises sexual lewdness contrary to modern media and movie propaganda. If a man uncovers the nakedness of a close female relative the sex leads to Kares the cutting off the soul(s) of the perpetrator and stoning if caught, warned and brought before a Sanhedrin. These acts may lead to the land vomiting the people out but note the words abomination or perversions are not used. However, homosexuality especially among males is considered an abomination while females should not marry Cohanim if they have done such acts. (Tractate Shabbos). The word perverse is used for bestiality. The Torah does not mince words. If incest is not perverse or abominable then these acts are the vilest of the vile acts that a lewd person can do. If the Torah thinks these acts are the lowest of the low then how can certain Reform and Conservative Rabbis approve of this. Or even the non-Jews who have this reiterated in their book of Roman (perversions and abuse) appoint a Bishop or Clerk to a post as I have seen in the States. Let me tell you that Samael has been given the ability to tempt people just before the Moshiach to weed out the pure from the impure Neshamos. Do not be astounded when you see the wicked thrive or be afraid of sudden fear because we have G-D.

6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness. I am the LORD.

This will only lead to lewdness at the youngest of ages and wickedness will prevail throughout the land.

7 The nakedness of thy father, and the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

Such things happen with sick fathers and both sexes and even sicker mothers with their boys who reach puberty. Since Shimon HaTzaddik the Yetzer for this has been basically eliminated but perverse minds will do these things and corrupt the next generation leading to a sick person in society and if the majority started on this the whole society would become perverse and ill.

8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.

The nakedness of your father's wife, to extend [the prohibition even] after [his father's] death.

This is one step higher that the lowest and vileness of the first as the woman is a stranger unto the man. For if the father had not married her she would have been permitted to the son. However, this is perverse and 90% of the Soap Operas have this in some form and it corrupts the minds of the viewer and perhaps even the actors into thinking that this is normal.

9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or the daughter of thy mother, whether born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.

Ptolemy and Cleopatra are such an example of in breeding. It can lead to genius or retardation. I have not looked into breeding of horses, cats and dogs but among humans this practice is perverse.

10 The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover; for theirs is your own nakedness.

In some cultures even today men marry children young enough to be their granddaughters one such occurrence was with Mr. Marshall and Vicki aka Anna Nicole Smith. However within the family it is incest. According to some Midrashim Avishag and the Melech David was used more as a nursemaid for him than a wife and no marital relations occurred. She received some inheritance but the Ketuba without consummation was a nullified marriage.

11 The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

[This] teaches us that he is not liable for [marrying] his sister [born] of a handmaiden or a non-Jewish woman; therefore it is said: "the daughter of your father's wife"--- [referring] to [a woman] fit for marriage

This does not include a woman who was widowed or divorced and had a daughter by a previous marriage for such a union is permissible as indicated in Shabbos with the story of Rav Chiya receiving a delayed message on the passing of his brother and sister who were a couple.

12 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman. 13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister; for she is thy mother's near kinswoman. 14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is your aunt.

Society would break down into inbred clans and besides the limit gene pool with chances of more and more defects, lewdness would prevail on a grand scale and selfishness on a level that would ruin any chance of charity for outsiders.

15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son' wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 16 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.

The exception being Yebum (Levirate).

17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness: they are near kinswomen; it is lewdness. 18 And thou shalt not take a woman to her sister, to be a rival to her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime.

Rashi says to vex her as Rashi says and we see what happened between Rachel and Leah. However, if one sister dies the other is permissible as the genealogy of Kobler and Auerbach families who descended from two daughters of the Maharal of Prague.

19 And thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.

From 5769: The holy Zohar talks about the 24 spiritual impurities the original reptile injected into Chava. All these impurities surface when the previous egg dies inside. They manifest themselves on the nail grown and hair growth among other things. (I originally intended to go into the Tuma in greater details but since I have readers of all learning levels, I went to the least common denominator.)

20 And thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbor's wife, to defile thyself with her.

Our society is so degenerate today that they now have groups of swingers and up until a law was passed in Israel one could even advertise for this and other sick things. The only thing that will be swinging about them is that they might be suspending hanging around in Kaf HaKeller in the next world.

21 And thou shalt not give any of thy seed to set them apart to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

To Molech .This is an idolatrous form of worship whose name is "Molech," and this is its worship: that he hands over his son to priests, and they make two large bonfires, and they made the son pass on foot between the two bonfires. You shall not hand over this [refers] to his handing over [his son] to the priests - To be passed through Molech, this [refers] to passing [the child] through the fire.

22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination.

תּוֹעֵבָה, הִוא. The word תּוֹעֵבָה is used 7 times in the Chumash as I wrote last summer. 3 times it is with homosexuality as an abomination and 2 or 3 times with idolatry and 1 or 2 times with swindling somebody. In Proverbs תּוֹעֵבָה, הִ an abomination before HASHEM is a proud heart. So now make a ‘Gay Pride’ parade and see what HASHEM Yisborach thinks about it. Lewdness and promiscuity is not the way of HASHEM and not why the world was created. For the world was created to be fruitful and multiply and in this process each generation raise the mundane to the holy.

23 And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto; it is perversion.

It is defilement. An expression of prostitution, incest and adultery, and so too: "My anger is against their depravity." Another interpretation: It is {Hebrew Ref}: an expression of mixing and intermixture of the seed of mankind and the seed of animals.

24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out from before you. 25 And the land was defiled, therefore I did visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26 Ye therefore shall keep My statutes and Mine ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the home-born, nor the stranger that sojourns among you—

27 for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled-- 28 that the land vomit not you out also, when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. 29 For whosoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore shall ye keep My charge, that ye do not any of these abominable customs, which were done before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.

From 5769: G-D has a way of purging the abominations and that is by having the land vomit the culprits out. There can be no tolerance on a public scale perhaps one individual to his neighbor but publicly we cannot tolerate a Jew doing an action that will cut himself off from the people and delay redemption of Am Yisrael by the Moshiach. This is liken to a man on the private scale is overwhelmed with love for a woman who does not fully observe Shabbos so much that he can think of her as a potential marriage partner but in the end he must try to persuade her to be flexible to observe Shabbos for her own Neshama’s sake.

Halachos from Danny Shoemann

One should not move one's furniture from one home to another on Chol HaMoed, with the following exceptions:
- Both homes are in the same complex and the furniture will not be carried into the street, or
- The 2 complexes have a common doorway and the furniture will not be carried into the street, or
- There's a financial loss involved in not moving, or
- One is moving from a rented home to one's own home, as this will increase one's joy on the holiday. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 105:1

The Torah forbids us to waste or destroy items that can still be used. The Torah commands us to burn - or otherwise destroy - all Chametz in our possession on Erev Pessach morning. Can we reconcile these 2 Halachos? The Mitzva to destroy Chametz can be fulfilled with a bare minimum of Chametz; preferably with leftovers that nobody would be able to use. Usable Chametz can be donated to various charity organizations which will distribute it to the needy. Alternately, Chametz can be sold to a non-Jew.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144

Since most of us don't want to start selling Chametz on Erev Pessach, one can go to most local Rabbis and appoint them as a messenger to sell our Chametz. The Rabbi will make a legal sale of the Chametz including a legal document and a deposit. Realize that this is a bona fide sale, and that the non-Jew is entitled to come to our homes and request we hand over our Chametz, as has occasionally happened. After Pessach the Rabbi goes to the non-Jew and asks to be paid the remainder of the debt and offers to buy back the Chametz from the non-Jew at a higher price. Since the non-Jew usually prefers to make a quick profit rather than paying for hundreds of items scattered throughout the city, he will sell the Chametz to the Rabbi. One should only sell Chametz and not the containers it's in - especially not containers that require Tevila, like metal and glass, otherwise one would need to Toivel them in a Mikvah after Pessach, since they belonged to a non-Jew during Pessach. Chametz that has been sold (via the Rabbi) must be locked away so that one doesn't accidentally use it, which would be a double problem: Chametz on Pessach and stealing from the non-Jew.
Even if one has no intention of keeping Chametz in one's home, one should still go to a Rabbi to appoint him to sell ones Chametz. Why?
A lot of products may be Chametz contrary to popular belief - depending on the latest production methods - like medications, creams, soaps or even food which one discovers later wasn't really Kosher for Pessach.
During Pessach one may discover Chametz that one wasn't aware of, or that one forgot to get rid of in the last-minute pre-Pessach rush. If one sold all ones Chametz then one didn't own any during Pessach. Chametz that belonged to a Jew during Pessach may not be used after Pessach. This is a Rabbinical decree; a punishment for owning the Chametz. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114

Why don't firstborns celebrate the fact that they were saved from the 10th plague - the smiting of Egyptian firstborns? On Erev Pessach - this coming Monday - all firstborns will fast in memory of them fasting in Egypt on Erev Pessach, to ensure they wouldn't be punished along with the Egyptians in the 10th plague. The Hallel said at the Seder includes praise for their delivery. All firstborn males fast; even if they're only a firstborn to one of their parents. Even firstborns who are exempt from Pidyon HaBen - like Cohanim, Levites or being born after a stillborn - also have to fast or in my case where my mother was a bas Levi (also a bas Cohain the same) where I was exempt. The father of a young firstborn needs to fast for him. Whether a firstborn (or his father) may attend a Seuda Mitzva like a Siyum, Brit or Pidyon HaBen and break his fast to participate in the meal, depends on local / family custom. After breaking his fast, he can eat the rest of the day.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 113:6, 115:2

Halachos of Pessach & the counting of the Omer part 4

These and other Halachos can be found on the website of the Torah Organization (Project Genesis) http://www.torah.org/learning/halacha/chapter119.html http://www.torah.org/learning/halacha/chapter120.html

Chapter 119:1
Laws of the Seder

1. Although in general, one may recite Kiddush and begin eating one's meal before nightfall on Shabbos and Yom Tov, and thus add from "non-holy time" to "holy time" (1), this is not allowed on Pesach.

[The rationale is] that the mitzvah of eating matzah must be fulfilled at night, [at the time] when the Pesach sacrifice [was to be eaten], as [Exodus 12:8 states]: "And they shall eat the meat on this night." Similarly, the mitzvah of drinking the four cups of wine must be fulfilled at night. Since the cup [of wine] over which Kiddush is recited is one of the these four cups, the Kiddush should not be recited until it is definitely "night" (that is, after the appearance of three medium-size stars). On all other nights, I have no problems with my vegetarian readers and whether they eat kitniyos (beans, rice, corn, chick-peas, mustard, canola, peanuts [permitted to Chabad], and others) but on this night when G-D requires us to eat meat, I think that they should make an exception to their custom. Of course consult your local Orthodox Rabbi as he may have a heter since the Beis HaMikdash has not been rebuilt yet. Certainly an infant or a person being tube or inter-stomach fed is exempt but a healthy person has a different Din.

[Shortly after nightfall], one should put on the kittel and sit at one's place for the Seder. It is a mitzvah to give children almonds, nuts, and the like to play with, so that they will notice that something is different about this night, and ask about it. [Hopefully,] this will motivate them to ask other questions concerning the matzoh, the marror, and the reclining (2).

When a child is old enough to be educated (3), and he appreciates the sanctity of Yom Tov, and understands the narrative of the exodus from Egypt, he should also be given a cup [of grape juice, or wine] to drink from (4). It is customary to pour an additional cup of wine, besides the cup given to each of the Seder participants. This is called Elijah's cup. (5)

FOOTNOTES:

(1) This concept is called "Le'hosif Mechol al Hakodesh," which generally means to "bring in" Shabbos or Yom Tov before nightfall; once one has consciously accepted Shabbos or Yom Tov, all their laws and restrictions apply.

(2) It is a mitzvah to do something at the start of the seder that is not done on other nights of the year, in order to stimulate the children's curiosity and draw them into asking why this night is different from all other nights - "Ma Nishtana Halaila HaZeh..." Asking the "Four Questions" during the seder is not supposed to be a ritual formality; rather, there is an obligation to do things that will stimulate actual curiosity and questioning, because answers do not make a difference to people who don't have questions (See Rambam, Yad, Chometz U'Matzah 7:3).

(3) That is, when he reaches the age of "chinuch," which varies according to the individual child's level of awareness.

(4) It is a mitzvah to have the child perform the mitzvah of the four cups, however it is not an obligation, because many authorities ruled that the mitzvah of the four cups was not ordained for children.

(5) From the wording of the Kitzur Shulchon Oruch, it appears that Elijah's cup should be poured at the beginning of the Seder. This is the custom in many communities. In others, however, Elijah's cup is not poured until after the meal is concluded.

Chapter 119:2
Laws of the Seder

2. One's servant or another member of the household should pour the wine into the cups. Similarly, each time the cups are filled, they should be filled by these individuals and not by the person leading the Seder himself; this is an outward expression of freedom (1).

One should instruct the members of one's household to drink the majority of the cup in one gulp, and to drink at least a revi'is (2) for the fourth cup (3). They must also have the intent to fulfill [four different] mitzvos: the drinking of the four cups of wine, the relating of the story of the exodus from Egypt (4), and eating matzoh and marror. Women are also obligated to fulfill these mitzvos, but it is not customary for them to recline.

One should recite Kiddush as it is printed in the Haggodos and drink the cup while reclining on the left side.

If possible, it is proper to follow the opinion of the authorities who require that one drink the entire cup of wine for each of the four cups (See note 2).

FOOTNOTES:

(1) Royalty and nobility never pour their own cup of wine. Each person at the table who is performing the mitzvah of drinking four cups, should have someone else pour the wine each time.

(2) A "revi'is" literally means "one quarter" because it is equal to the volume of one quarter of a "log." There is a dispute among the authorities as to what a revi'is equals in modern measurements. The opinions range from 88.7 ml to 150 ml (5.07 fluid ounces).

If the cup is capable of containing only a revi'is, one should preferably drink the entire cup of wine for each of the four cups. However, if one is unable to complete the cup, one can fulfill one's mitzvah by drinking most of the revi'is, a measure referred to as "maleh lugmav," which literally means a "cheek-full" (a quantity of liquid which fills one cheek of an average person).

If the cup is capable of holding more than a revi'is, the Ramban rules that one must drink most of the contents of the cup, whereas the Ran rules that it is sufficient to drink most of a revi'is. One should preferably conduct oneself in accordance with the Ramban, however, if one only drank most of a revi'is of a large cup (containing more than a revi'is), one has fulfilled his obligation ("Halachos of Pesach," by Rav Shimon Eider Vol II, pg 230 (Ch20 E1))

The preferred manner of drinking the revi'is is by drinking most of the revi'is in one gulp, and completing the revi'is in the second gulp. If it takes him more than nine minutes to drink the revi'is, he must drink the cup again, with a new blessing, in order to fulfill the mitzvah ("Halachos of Pesach," by Rav Shimon Eider Vol II, pg 233 Ch20E3).

One should make sure to drink an entire revi'is for the fourth cup, because the "bracha acharona" ("after-blessing"), recited after the fourth cup, may only be recited after drinking a revi'is.

(3) Even if drinking four cups of wine will cause someone slight discomfort, such as a mild headache, one is still obligated to do so. One may dilute the wine with grape juice or water (preferably grape juice), but one should try to do it in a way that the alcoholic taste of the wine remains. Also, when diluting with water, one must be careful to use the ratio required to retain the blessing of "Borei Pri HaGofen" (more than one part wine to six parts water; the fact that some modern wines are already diluted must be taken into account).

One is not obligated to do anything that will cause him to become bedridden. Therefore, if one is unable to drink any wine (or can only drink a small amount), one may fulfill the mitzvah of the four cups using just grape juice. If one is allergic to grape juice, one may fulfill the obligation by drinking four cups of "Chamar Medina" ("beverage of the country"), which is generally defined as a drink one would serve to a guest even when he is not thirsty, such as alcoholic beverages (make sure they are not chometz), tea, and coffee ("Halachos of Pesach" by Rabbi Shimon Eider, Vol II, pg 220-225; for further details, ask your local orthodox rabbi).

(4) Relating the story of the exodus on the night of Pesach is a Biblical commandment.

Chapter 119:3
Laws of the Seder

3. Afterwards, [each person] should wash his hands without reciting the blessing (1), and then dry them. [The person leading the Seder] should cut a piece of the "karpas" (2) for himself and for all the members of his household. Each person should receive a piece [of the vegetable which is] less than a "k'zayis" in size (Lit: "like an olive") (3).

The pieces are dipped in salt water and the blessing "borey pri ho'adomoh" is recited. While reciting this blessing, one should have in mind that it should also apply to the marror (a vegetable to be eaten later in the evening). One should also eat the "karpas" while reclining on one's left side (4).

Afterwards, one takes the middle matzah and divides it into two portions, placing the larger portion next to him so that it can be used later as the "afikoman". It is customary to wrap the afikoman in a cloth to recall [Exodus 12:34]: "Their left-over dough was wrapped up in their clothes." There are some who place the matzah in the cloth on their shoulders to recall [the manner in which our ancestors] left Egypt.

The afikomon takes the place of the Pesach sacrifice. Therefore, the greater portion of the matzah should be used for it. The smaller portion should be returned to its place on the Seder plate. The matzos should be uncovered slightly and the plate lifted up. We then say the passage beginning "Ho Lachmah Anya... " ("This is the poor man's bread") until its conclusion with "next year we will be free people."

[Certain versions of the Haggodoh read] "K'ho lachmoh anya... " [instead of "Ho lachmah anya..."]. According to these versions, the passage continues, "..acholu avhosono..." [rather than "di acholu avhosono..."].

FOOTNOTES:

(1) That is, the blessing for washing one's hands - "Al Netilas Yadayim." There is a halacha that before eating (with one's hands) any food that has been washed or dipped in water (and is still wet), one has to perform the same ritual washing that one would perform before eating bread. However, many authorities rule that this halacha only applied when the Beis Hamikdash (Temple) was standing; nevertheless, even these authorities rule that this washing must be performed on Pesach, as an additional means of arousing the curiosity of the children.

(2) See HY 118:2

(3) Volume of approximately one fluid oz, 28.8 cubic centimeters.

(4) Many authorities do not require one to recline while eating the karpas. Unless one's custom is to the contrary, it is preferable to recline.

Chapter 119:4
Laws of the Seder

4. After reciting the paragraph beginning: "This is the bread of affliction..."], the second cup of wine is poured. A young child should ask [the four questions, beginning] "Mah nishtanah...". If there are no young children present, another son or daughter, or a friend or one's wife should ask the questions (1). After that, [the Haggodoh continues with (2)] "Avodim hoyinu.." ("We were slaves...").

It is proper to explain the Haggodoh to the members of one's household in a language that they understand. If [the person leading the Seder] does not understand Hebrew, he should recite the Haggodoh from a text with translation. After reciting each passage of the Haggodoh [in Hebrew], he should translate it. In particular, this applies to the passage beginning: "Rabban Gamliel would say, " for it is essential for the participants to understand the reasons for [the mitzvos of] the Pesach sacrifice, matzoh, and marror.

When one reaches the passage beginning: "V'hi she'omdoh...", one covers the matzos (so the matzos will not be "shamed" when the cup of wine is lifted) and raises the cup. One should hold it upraised until the word "miyodom" [at which point, it is lowered] and the matzoh uncovered again.

When the passage beginning: "Matzoh zo.." ("This matzah") is reached, the person leading the Seder should lift up the broken piece [of the middle matzoh] from the Seder plate and show it to the members of his household. Similarly, when reciting "Marror zo", one should lift up the marror. When, however, reciting the passage "Pesach shehoyu avoseinu ochlim...", one should not lift up the "zeroa," even though it commemorates the Pesach sacrifice. Doing so would make it appear that this meat was being consecrated for sacrificial purposes (3).

When one reaches the passage beginning: "Lefichoch..." ("Therefore..."), one should cover the matzos and raise the cup until one concludes the blessing "Go'al Yisroel". One then recites the blessing "borey pri hagofen" and drinks this second cup of wine while reclining on one's left side.

FOOTNOTES:

(1) If one is alone, one must ask oneself the four questions.

(2) One does not recline while reciting the Haggadah.

(3) Which is impossible when there is no Beis Hamikdosh (Temple) standing in Jerusalem.

Chapter 119:4
Laws of the Seder

When one rea

reaches the passage beginning: "V'hi she'omdoh...", one covers the matzos (so the matzos will not be "shamed" when the cup of wine is lifted) and raises the cup. One should hold it upraised until the word "miyodom" [at which point, it is lowered] and the matzoh uncovered again.

FOOTNOTES:

(1) If one is alone, one must ask oneself the four questions.

(2) One does not recline while reciting the Haggadah.

(3) Which is impossible when there is no Beis Hamikdosh (Temple) standing in Jerusalem.

The Counting of the Omer

Chapter 120:1
The Counting of the Omer

1. On the second night of Pesach, one begins "counting the Omer" (1). One must count while standing (2). The mitzvah is to count immediately at the beginning of the night (3), as soon as [three medium-size stars] become visible (4). If one did not count at the beginning of the night, the time for counting extends throughout the entire night.

On Shabbos and festivals nights, the counting takes place in synagogue after the recitation of Kiddush (after Maariv, the evening service), in order to give precedence to the [proclamation] of the sanctity of the day. At the conclusion of Shabbos or a holiday, we count before the recitation of Havdalah in order to delay the departure of the [holy] day. Should the final day of Pesach fall on Saturday night, and hence Kiddush and Havdoloh are recited over the same cup of wine, we count beforehand in order to delay the recitation of Havdalah (which signifies the end of Shabbos).

FOOTNOTES:

(1) When the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) was standing in Jerusalem, there was a mitzvah to begin the grain harvest season by harvesting a certain amount of barley on the second night of Pesach, and bringing the amount of one "omer" (approx. 2 quarts) as a meal offering ("Korban Mincha") in the Beit Hamikdash the next day (See Leviticus 23:9-14).

There is another mitzvah for each male to verbally count seven weeks (counting each of the 49 days and seven weeks), beginning from the day the "omer" offering is brought (hence the name "Counting of the Omer"), that is, the second day of Pesach, and ending on the day before the festival of Shavuos (lit: "weeks" - because it is the culmination of 7 weeks of counting) (See Leviticus 23:15-22).

Now that there is no longer a Beit HaMikdash, and hence, no longer an "Omer" offering brought on the second day of Pesach, there are many authorities who rule that the mitzvah of counting is only a rabbinically ordained obligation.

As with most mitzvos that have to be performed at a specific time, women are exempt from the mitzvah of counting; however, women in many communities accepted this mitzvah upon themselves, as they did the mitzvah of lulav and shofar; therefore, if a woman desires to count, she may do so, however, some authorities question whether a blessing may be recited (See Mishna Berura 489:3).

(2) But if one counted while sitting, one has fulfilled one's obligation and need not count again.

(3) The verse says to count "seven COMPLETE weeks", therefore we try to count as soon as the new day begins (that is, at the beginning of the night), so that each counting is for a "complete" day.

(4) After the Maariv Shmone Esrei, before Aleynu.

Don’t forget for your love of HASHEM to burn left over Chametz Erev Pessach a cute reminder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lhf9U5Wf3Q

Sefira Counting Page: http://torah.org/learning/yomtov/omer/sefira.php3

A short movie: http://www.aish.com/movies/4sons.asp

Traveling for Pesach by Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

This week's article is somewhat different from what I usually send. It is a combination of:

An interview that I responded to for a recent issue of Mishpacha in their Advice Line column and various questions I have answered via e-mail. Obviously, the answers are much briefer than the style I write for an article, and usually are not explained.

Advice question asked from Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Question:

We are a young married couple with one child living in Eretz Yisrael. Both of our parents live in the States but about a 3-4 hour drive apart. As Pesach approaches and we made our plans to visit them it became clear that only one set of parents was willing to pay towards our tickets to visit, and that they would pay half the airfare. After taking this into account, we decided that we still wanted to visit and would pay the other half ourselves. However, when deciding where to be over Yom Tov we are undecided how to divide our time for Yom Tov. Please help.

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff: There are no obvious Halachic guidelines for such an issue; it falls into the category of the “fifth Shulchan Aruch.” I’m therefore offering you my personal thoughts and judgment. One family is paying for half of your tickets; the other side is not contributing. It does seem fair that you should spend some more time with the side that is putting up money. However there are several mitigating factors that must be kept in mind:

Firstly, I’m assuming that the side that isn’t paying is not doing so because they are stingy but rather because they simply don’t have the resources. This brings up an important question: Should a family be penalized for not having the financial wherewithal that another family has been blessed with?

Secondly, if one side has more resources than the other side, it’s probable that they come to visit in Eretz Yisrael on occasion, while the financially-strapped family probably comes rarely, if at all. This means that if you don’t go visit them, you may never see them.

All these factors point to the fact that you need to sit down and have an open, honest conversation about the issue and reach a decision together. Although such discussions are not easy, realize that the making of a strong marriage comes through discussing sticky situations and working out issues.

Try to depersonalize the discussion and really focus on the points that the other person is making. Sometimes, it’s helpful for you each to “plead” the other side. Let the spouse whose parents are paying enumerate why the Yom Tov should be split evenly and let the one whose parents aren’t able to chip in list the reasons why one should more time visiting the parents who are paying. Keep speaking until you reach a decision that you’re both comfortable with. I wish you much hatzlacha.

At this point, we are quoting some select e-mail shaylos I have received pursuant to Pesach

Pesach Cleaning

Subject: URGENT - cleaning toys, pens, etc. for Pessach! Importance: High

Question: I just organized the toys today, without wiping any of them down. I did not see any crumbs, and even if there were, they certainly would not be edible. But I understand that we are supposed to actually wash in bleach anything that has a chance of ending up on our table during Pesach.

Please explain. I don't want to waste precious time and energy on nonsense - i don't have that luxury this year - limited time, energy and finances.

Answer: I do not know the source of this misinformation. It sounds like what you are doing is 100% fine. My wife follows the same approach, with my approval.

Bedikas Chametz

Question from someone else: We are renting out our apartment for Pessach and the couple only needs one out of four bedrooms. Are we required to do Bedikas Chametz in the three remaining rooms?

Answer: If you want to avoid doing Bedika in the other rooms, you can "close them off" by putting signs on the doors that they are sold/rented to the gentile and therefore not checked for Chametz. Ask the Rav who is doing your mechiras Chametz to sell your Chametz in these rooms on the 13^th of Nisan.

Yom Tov Sheini in Israel Shaylah

Dear Rabbi Kaganoff

We have been in Eretz Yisrael for four years, and still keep two days. Essentially, it is still clear to us that we will go back to the USA and raise our family there. But we have no location picked out, no timetable when we intend to return there, and aside from a few things in my parents and in- laws house, we really have nothing in the USA.

Inertia is powerful, and who knows how long we will really be here. I cannot see that working out financially, or practically, but if the economy in the USA really collapsed, then I definitely would stay.

If I want to shop for a Psak, I know what different Poskim will tell me, and I could easily ask from the Posek who will give me the answer I want. Am I mechuyav to go through the sugya, and make my own conclusion? Do you think we ought to keep two days this Pesach?

Thanks a ton!

Answer:

The Chazon Ish (Yoreh Deah 150:1) explains that in a situation like this, one follows one's Rebbe (which he defines there), and if one has no Rebbe, one can be Maykail by a derabbanan. Since two days are according to the Rabbis one can be liberal on this. The following is the Rabbi Pauli way as I learned it. If one intends to spend a full 3 Regalim (Pessach, Shavuos and Sukkos) in Israel one after the other and the order is unimportant, one behaves like a person living in Eretz Yisrael. All the more so for a fellow living 3 years in Israel as my son as soon as he realized that he was going to live in the USA started observing 2 days.

Another Yom Tov Sheini in Israel Shaylah

Question: My mother and sister are not religious and will be coming to us for all of Pesach from the U.S. How should I handle their second day Yom Tov?

Answer: Don’t plan on any family activities that require them to do work, but don’t say anything to them about their doing work. In other terms, don’t cause them to do Melacha, since most Poskim hold that they are required to keep the second day Yom Tov.

Question: What should I do about a second day Seder for them? (They would have no interest in it on their own and find it a burden.)

Answer: Do nothing. You are not required to make a Seder for them, and I do not see anything gained by attempting them to keep/attend a Seder.

Question: My elderly father, who is not observant, will be having surgery during Pesach, and I will therefore be visiting them. This has therefore generated many questions:

1. Can I do laundry on Chol HaMoed for my parents (who will be at the time unable to do it for themselves)?

Answer: Do all their laundry before Yom Tov, and see that they have everything that they need for the entire Yom Tov. If they are short items, they should be purchased- preferably before Yom Tov, but if necessary they can be purchased on Chol HaMoed. And what if the garments are sufficient under normal circumstances 9 pairs of undergarments, socks, white shirts and various number of pants but the garments and they get soiled by a derivatives of the surgery, one can do with a change. (Carry the garments to the washing machine with the left hand, put in the detergent in a different way, etc.)

2. What can I purchase on Chol HaMoed? Can I buy something that could wait until after Pesach, but my parents would prefer to have it sooner?

Answer: If they will use it on Chol HaMoed or Yom Tov, you may but it on Chol HaMoed if there is no time to purchase it earlier, or you were unable to purchase it earlier.

3. I read your article about not doing Melacha on the 2nd day of yom tov while in chutz l'aretz. If my mother would like a second Seder, or to light candles for the second night of yom tov, am I allowed to do it for her? My mom lights Shabbos candles, but not yom tov candles, but since it is yom tov for her, can I be Motzei her? [the questioner lives in Eretz Yisrael and her parents in chutz l’aretz.]

Answer: You cannot be a shaliach for her to perform these Mitzvos because you are not required to observe them.

Question: What about my making Kiddush on the second night/day for them?

Answer: Also not.

4. I will be bringing with me my nursing baby who is, as is my husband, a Kohen. Since I do not know people where my parents live, it may be difficult for me to find a babysitter while I visit my dad after his surgery. May I bring my baby to the hospital?

Answer: Try to find a babysitter for him. If you cannot find a sitter, and it means not visiting your father, then bring the baby along. [I permitted this since there is a very small Jewish population in the city where her parents live. The Halacha will be different in an area with a large Jewish population.]

Dental Cleaning on Chol HaMoed

Dear Rabbi Kaganoff,
Hope this finds everyone well.

Is it permissible to go to the dentist for a cleaning on Chol HaMoed Pesach. The dentist now only has a dental hygienist in the office on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I am at work all those days and can't leave to go to the dentist.

Answer: One should not schedule this dental cleaning for Chol HaMoed.

All my best regards--

A Reasonably Priced Sermon

The Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhinsk used to wander around in self-imposed exile, dressed as a simple peasant – with a short jacket and a straw belt. Once he came upon the town of Zarnovtzeh, and asked an official of the Jewish community to be allowed to speak in the Schul. Due to his simple appearance, the official denied his request. When he persisted in asking, the official finally pushed him out of the Schul. When the official’s young son, Avner, saw this, he asked his father, “What does it matter to you if this poor man earns a few rubles by giving a sermon? If he’s asking to be allowed to speak, surely he must be capable of doing so!”

Moved by his son’s words, the official recanted – presenting Rebbe Elimelech with a note which indicated he was allowed to speak. The caretaker of the Jewish community informed everyone that there would be a guest speaker in the Schul. The entire Jewish community came to the Schul to hear Rebbe Elimelech’s words. Ascending the platform, Rebbe Elimelech did something very strange: he remained silent. He gazed around the room, as if looking for someone. Finally, a member of the audience piped up, “Who is it that you’re looking for? The whole town is here!”

“There is a smell of immorality here, G-d forbid,” was Rebbe Elimelech’s strange reply.

Incensed by these derogatory remarks, the people wanted to hit him. He ran out of the Schul, with the crowd chasing after him. He didn’t take a straight path, but a rather twisted one. Finally, they came to a rather wide gate, like that of a horses’ stable, which was open on two of its sides. And then they saw…the town Schochet [ritual slaughterer] with a non-Jewish woman. They ceased chasing him, having understood his words, and what he was looking for. But Rebbe Elimelech was still running with all his might, thinking that the whole town had continued to chase him. However, the only one who had followed him this far was the young Avner, who didn’t really understand what he had seen. But he knew one thing – if this man would have been allowed to speak, he would have earned some money. Now that the townspeople had chased him out of the shul, he was unable to earn his fee.

With these thoughts, he ran after Rebbe Elimelech, shouting, “Stop, stop! No one is chasing you anymore!”

“What is it, young boy?” asked Rebbe Elimelech.

“Surely you need to be paid for your sermon. I can pay you! Why should you lose out just because the people wouldn’t let you speak?”

“Your money belongs to your father, and you cannot give it to me without his permission.”

“My father gives me four large coins every day, and I’ve saved some of it.”

“In that case,” responded the Rebbe, “I will take it.”

“Here’s eight gold pieces. That’s what one gets for a guest sermon in our town.”

“Son, how can I bless you?” asked Rebbe Elimelech.

“However you wish,” was Avner’s response.

Putting his hand on Avner’s head, the Rebbe Reb Elimelech said, “I bless you that we should become mechutanim (related through marriage).”

Avner grew up, became wealthy and well known. Eventually, a match was made between a granddaughter of R. Avner’s and a grandson of Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta [the "Ohev Yisrael"]. The young man was also a great-grandson of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhinsk, who had already passed away. The “Ohev Yisrael“, a disciple of Rebbe Elimelech, made the trip to Zarnovtzeh for this wedding. In fact, over seventy Chassidic Rebbes were present. Among them were the Chozeh [Seer] of Lublin and the holy Yid of Pshischa. Arriving at his hosts’, the “Ohev Yisrael” inquired of R. Avner, “How did you deserve such mechutanim, especially the Rebbe Reb Elimelech? Tell me about yourself and your deeds.”

R. Avner replied that he is very hospitable, taking in guests. He gives generous amounts of Tzeduka [charity]. He is careful to set aside time for Torah study. With each attempted answer, the “Ohev Yisrael” responded, “It’s not because of that. Try to remember.…”

R. Avner delved deeply into his memory, trying to find some incident in his life which would be a fitting answer to the “Ohev Yisrael“. Finally, he remembered the above incident with the poor “speaker.“ He hadn’t thought of it before because he never discovered that the man he helped was actually the Rebbe Reb Elimelech. When he finished the story, the “Ohev Yisrael” said, “Now tell me, exactly what did he look like?” Upon hearing R. Avner’s description, the “Ohev Yisrael” nodded in approval. “That’s it! That poor man was the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, and it was from his blessing that you merited becoming his mechutan!”

Biographical notes: Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhinsk (1717 – 21 Adar 1787), was a major disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov, and the leading Rebbe of the subsequent generation in Poland-Galitzia. Most of the great Chassidic dynasties stem from his disciples. His book, Noam Elimelech, is one of the most popular of all Chassidic works.

Source: Excerpted and adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from “I Remember You From the Rebbe,” as translated and adapted by Yitzchak Dorfman from a story in “Ohel Elimelech,” plus other sources, for modzitz.org. Yerachmiel Tilles is the director of the AscentOfSafed.com and KabbalaOnline.org websites.

Ahavas Yisrael of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe

Once, on Erev Pesach, I was sitting in the office when a very respectable woman who lived in Crown Heights (who is now in the World of Truth) phoned me and said, “Reb Leib, I don’t know what to do. I do not smell any food cooking in my neighbor’s kitchen. I thought about what I could do to help, and finally went across to the neighbor on a pretense and asked her if I could borrow an onion. I knocked on the door and when I entered I saw that the oven was empty – the woman didn’t have any food for Pesach. I offered her money but she refused. What should I do?” I answered that I would have to think what to do. I went into the Rebbe’s office and related to the Rebbe what this woman had told me. The Rebbe opened his drawer, took out $500 and gave it to me. I told the Rebbe that the family had already been offered money but had refused. The Rebbe then instructed me to put the money in a plain envelope, slip it under their door, and run away. Afterwards, the same woman called again to say that now she smells the aroma of Yom Tov food coming from that kitchen. That is Ahavas Yisrael.

- as told by a member of the Rebbe’s secretariat, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner. From Sichos in English, To Love a Fellow Jew

A few weeks ago I wrote this story as I had e-mailed Miriam for a copy but never received a reply. I found this on line going back 21 pages: A Sudden Revelation http://livingjewish.net/page/21/

Jack Saunders with his long, snowy white beard looks like a figure of out of the Bible. The 58 year-old former Minister is now a Noachide, who dedicates himself to the seven laws that G-d gave to mankind. This lifestyle change came about when he began to question what he had been taught in the so-called “New Testament.” Although the realization that he had been fooled by his former religion came gradually, his commitment to Noachide principles was formed through a sudden revelation. “If you’re looking for truth and truth smacks you in the face, then you have to do something. You have to be able to confront it and say, ‘This is the truth’ and let go of your emotions,” Saunders told Chabadinfo.com

The break from his past began during a church service when he was expected to comment on Isaiah 7:14 which many Christians interpret as pertaining to the birth of J… Without planning to be so frank, he told his parishioners that he did not hold by this interpretation and saw half of his congregation walk out. However, those who stayed kept their minds open to the change and courageously took down crosses and transformed the church into a Noachide study center. “At the time,” Saunders says, “the only thing we knew was what we were not.”

Although many people believe that the Noachide movement is new, the laws which include prohibitions against murder, idolatry, adultery and cruelty to animals were given to Adam, the first man and were the basis of a covenant Hashem made with Noah after the flood. The movement has had little visibility until recent times, when the Lubavitcher Rebbe urged Jews to reveal these Seven Laws to non-Jews and to instruct them concerning their role in the world.

One of the most high-profile Noachides was Texas archeologist and former Baptist minister Vendyl Jones (May 29, 1930 – December 27, 2010) who was drawn to the movement when he questioned the validity of the Christian texts, since he was disturbed by the anti-Jewish tone of the writings. Considered by many to be the inspiration for Indiana Jones of the classic adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jones traveled to Israel and learned more about the Noachide movement. He recalls a meeting he had with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who said, “Vendyl Jones, you are doing the most important work in the world.” Today, Vendel Jones is widely known for his pioneering efforts to mobilize the Noachide movement and to disseminate its message.by Miriam Metzinger

An Inspired Matchmaker

A widow sought an audience with the Rebbe of Rimminov, R. Zvi Hirsh. As she was still of childbearing age, she desperately sought the blessing of the tzadik that she would succeed in meeting someone to remarry soon. The Rebbe asked her some questions about her deceased husband and his family, and also about her family: where was she from, from which family, and so forth.

Upon hearing the family name and the name of the town, the Rebbe’s eyes widened. He asked for the specific address of her childhood home, and himself even provided a description of the house, which she confirmed. The Rebbe then rested his head in his hands, appearing to be lost in deep thought. Finally, he raised his eyes and said to her, “All right, I have for you a suggestion for a match. I recommend that you should marry…me!”

The woman turned pale. The eyes of the Rebbe’s attendant nearly popped out of his head. It was difficult to say who was more shocked. The woman, totally flustered, remained silent.

“Please don’t be afraid,” the Rebbe said to her gently. “Or embarrassed. If you say ‘No’ I won’t hold it against you. I’ll still try and help you.”

Now the woman was blushing slightly. She opened and closed her mouth several times, hesitating, until finally she was able to speak. “Rebbe, if you are in favor of this proposal, then certainly I am too.”

The Tzaddik smiled. He turned to his attendant and told him to fetch drinks and some pastries and a minyan of the elder Chassidim; they would celebrate the engagement right then.

After the formal arrangements were completed, the Rebbe addressed the assembled group. “I know you are wondering about the suddenness of this engagement and the strangeness of the whole procedure. Let me explain.

“My parents died when I was a lad, and the community arranged for me to be apprenticed to a tailor. One of my jobs was to make all his deliveries of new and mended clothes, which were always done on Fridays. Of all the families I regularly delivered to, there was only one that always paid promptly, instead of deferring it. This was a family with many children, so they often had items to be repaired. Whenever I would arrive there past midday, the house would already be completely prepared for Shabbos, right down to the flask of wine on the white-covered table. And the father of the home would be sitting serenely, reviewing the weekly Torah reading in the traditional manner. Even if it was just past noon, the spirit of Shabbat was already pervasive in that house. I was always amazed. And impressed.

“I used to pray that when my time came, that I should have the good fortune to marry someone from that family, or in another such family where the Shabbos was honored in such exemplary fashion. When this good woman revealed to me her background, I realized that she had grown up in that very house! Indeed she is the daughter of that man whom I admired so much. I understood that her presence before me was an indication that all the way back then my prayers had been accepted. Now I can merit to marry a wife who truly knows how to prepare for and honor Shabbos.”

Although Rebbe Zvi Hirsh was well into his sixties at the time of the wedding, the couple had two children. It is also known that the Rimminover acted towards his much younger wife with great honor and respect. When he passed away, his widow subsequently remarried Rebbe Yisroel of Rhyzin, also a widower, who acted as a father for her young children.

Editor’s note:

According to Beshurin Melech, this lady’s daughter eventually married a grandson of the Rhyziner, which would mean that she became her daughter’s grandmother! Her son, Yosef, eventually ascended to his father’s seat as Rebbe in Rimminov.

Biographical note:

Rebbe Zvi Hirsh of Rimminov [1778 - 29 Cheshvan 1847] was the attendant of the well-known Rebbe, R. Menachem Mendel of Rimminov, and subsequently his successor. He had a reputation as a miracle worker. Some of his teachings are collected in Mevasser Tov and in Be’erot HaMayim.

Source: Translated and adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the book “Beshurin Melech” vol. 2, p.42-44, in the name of the great rabbi, R. Asher Zelig Margolies.

Yerachmiel Tilles, an internationally popular storyteller, is the director of the AscentOfSafed.com and KabbalaOnline.org websites. This story was first posted on the Ascent website.

Edward sent me this it is a story with an audio interview of a fighter of British Colonialism and repression of Jews by anti-Semites: http://jewishmiracles.insightonthenews.net/?p=32

B'H
"Liberating the Soul"
"H-shem brought us out of Egypt with a Mighty Hand and an Outstretched Arm" (Deuteronomy 26:8)

In the festival prayers, Passover is called "the time of our liberation." But something is odd about the whole idea of "freedom" in the Passover story. G-d said to Moshe, "When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will serve Me." Before the Exodus, we were slaves to Pharaoh, but afterwards we became "slaves" to G-d! For surely the commandments seem to be a heavy yoke, much more akin to slavery than to freedom and independence!

This question requires a deeper understanding of the concept of "freedom." Freedom is relative. To a plant for instance, freedom is a state in which everything needed for its growth and development is provided, soil, air, water, light, etc.

For an animal however, the "freedom" of the plant is a cage. An animal needs freedom of movement. In turn, an animal's freedom is very far from the human concept of being free. If we supply a man all of his physical needs, but deny him "spiritual nourishment," then he will, in time, come to see his situation as dismal slavery. Freedom for man, means the ability to use intelligence and speech to gain wisdom.

However, even the highest form of human freedom provides no answer to the demand of freedom of the Jewish soul. The soul of every Jew is "an actual part of G-d above" [Tanya I, Ch. 2], and even when clothed in a physical body, it remains bound up and one with G-d. Freedom for the Jewish soul, occurs when through Torah study, and the performance of mitzvoth, it can deepen and reveal this essential connection. As our sages exclaimed, "There is no ''free man'' other than he who studies Torah. Torah for a Jew is like water to a fish. It is not a burdensome yoke, it is life itself. Only in water can fish survive and develop, and similarly a Jew lives his true life only when he saturates himself with Torah thoughts, speech and deeds.

For a Jew to be in harmony with his essential nature, he must live Torah. This isn't compulsion or slavery, rather the opposite, it is the freedom to be what one is, to grow and live as a Jew. Then everything in life can naturally flow from this essence, "I was created to serve my Creator."

Freedom, correctly understood, is having the means to express one's true desire. For a Jew, whose true essence is his G-dly soul, this freedom is experienced when he can serve G-d, becoming increasingly united with Him, through Torah and mitzvot.

This is why Passover is referred to in the prayers as ''Season of our Freedom''. What one person may see as a "yoke," is for the Jew the essence of his life, true and complete freedom.
Sources: Tanya I, Ch.2, R.Y. Mendel.

"PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF ISRAEL" "Pesach kosher v' Samayach"

Yaffa

Inyanay Diyoma

We gave up Gush Katif and the Philadelphia Patrol Road so this is what we can expect unless we are willing to shell them back to pre-camel age: http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=215724

Israel’s next war the Tsunami is coming: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4053319,00.html

Jews to get their guns back: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143435

Know whom you vote for: http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/MarcoRubio-Israel-MitchMcConnell-RandPaul/2011/04/07/id/392157

Either they are crazy or I am crazy: http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=283877

And will the USA go the way of Sodom? http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=284833

Hidden Inflation a video: http://w3.newsmax.com/a/money_mischief/video.cfm?s=al&promo_code=C0AD-1

David Horowitz of the Jerusalem Report confronts Arabs: http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/blog/2011/04/05/video-wall-of-lies.html

42 years ago, I was pictured in the Philadelphia papers when a leftist tried to steal the Megaphone from the people for learning on CCNY Campus and I grabbed her before she could walk off with it and it is not my habit to touch females. Now comes the left’s attempt to shut up the right based on the theme that was used then: http://www.teapartytribune.com/2011/04/09/tom-trento-shakes-up-the-tea-party/

Re: LA Synagogue bomb plot: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/04/09/police-explosion-outside-california-synagogue-intentional/?test=latestnews

Assad is too weak to mount a war against Israel as he will be toppled: http://www.debka.com/article/20820/ and http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=215856

On Friday we went into Shabbos feeling that Hamas was going into dormant mode as it was quite and they were talking cease fire.

But around Midnight during the Shabbos rest time: http://www.debka.com/article/20831/

Video of Iron Dome in Action and military in the south on alert Gimmel - Dalet is war alert http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4054360,00.html

You may have to copy and paste link.

Hmmm I wonder who attacks on the 11^th of a secular month. 9/11, London 7/11, Madrid & Itamar 3/11, and Belarus 4/11: http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=216163

Was it measure for measure? http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4055355,00.html

As Libya goes so goes Israel? http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143489

Riyadh Freezes $60bn US Arms Deal Abdullah's first step towards independence and defiance of Obama.

Saudi Arabia: Second Fukushima if Iranian Bushehr activated in May http://www.debka.com/article/20838/

Cloak and Dagger story number one the Spooky Dude is too well.

WAS GLENN BECK'S SHOW AMBUSHED? BY WHOM? by Emanuel A. Winston, Mid East Analyst & Commentator

We waited patiently for Glenn Beck’s Friday 5PM EDT show in which he said he would be defending Israel. He built up the anticipation for a really important pro-Israel defense show.

This is the program announcement on his Website yesterday April 7^th:”Don’t miss tomorrow’s special “In Defense of Israel”, as Pastor John Hagee will be joining Glenn.” (1)

Nasty surprise!

With no prior notice by FOX, Glenn Beck’s Friday program was cancelled, cut, deleted, spiked, squelched, shutdown. FOX offered no reason or apology for the cancelled show.

Why?

FOX chose to run a 2 hour special (after a one hour Neil Cavuto special) about the potential political budget shutdown of the government because Congress could not pass a Continuing Resolution budget to keep America running. None of the interviews with politicians; none of the commentary by the news anchors and commentators were anything more than blowing smoke. Whatever they had to say meant absolutely nothing. It certainly wasn’t a “Breaking News” catastrophe - although the results may indeed be catastrophic for those who do not receive their paychecks and for people who do not receive their needed services.

Glenn announced this week that “he” had decided to leave his very penetrating and popular show, called the THIRD HIGHEST RATED TV SHOW - which is in a very significant time slot at 5 PM EDT, with 2,000,000 viewers watching. He daily primes an excellent viewer-ship for the evening FOX shows and the news shows before him. When we heard he was leaving this show (which effectively cuts it), we suspected that “somebody” put the pressure on FOX to cut Glenn.

Please note the “Dry Bones” cartoon. It’s right on!

If you don't recognize "Spooky Dude" as a nickname for George Soros, then you haven't been watching or listening to news commentator Glenn Beck. Beck has been condemned as an Anti-Semite and portrayed as a whacko conspiracy theorist. He is neither.

I am shocked that, like the Jewish State, he has been boycotted demonized and has had sanctions used against him. That his voice is being silenced in America's Main Stream Media is shameful. Here in Israel, I, and many others have in recent months begun watching Beck's TV shows online. Judge for yourself. Watch a few of his TV shows at: http://www.watchglennbeck.com

Glenn Beck could be fairly described – with the compliment – that he is a ‘wild and crazy guy’. But, Glenn is seriously really brilliant! He digs into world problems, political, military, justice, fairness, bias in the media, those who are too favorable to violent Islamism and also who are therefore hostile to Israel’s self-defense.

In an article by James Delingpole, he says: “Sure Glenn Beck has his faults but, they are vastly outweighed by his strengths: his fearlessness in speaking truth to power; his gift for explaining political ideas in a way that galvanizes the attention of Middle America…Beck has given [the Americans] a voice; he helped make the glorious popular revolt against the [bumbling] political class – the Tea Party – possible.” (2)

Also, please note that the FOX show of Glenn Beck’s Defense of Israel will now be aired at 2 AM Friday night??!! Any observant Jew cannot violate the Sabbath to watch this show and the announcement to find it repeated on Glenn’s website: news@glennbeck.com appeared after Shabbat began in Israel. What’s wrong with this picture? (3)

####

1. the rightscoop.com/glenn-beck-show-a…. April 8, 2011

2. “I LOVE GLENN BECK” by James Delingpole, a British writer whose website is http://www.jamesdelingpole.com Essay from FAMILY SECURITY MATTERS April 8, 2011

3. Glenn & Co destroy false media reports about Fox News announcement….

Cloak and Dagger a historic story number two that happened before I made Aliyah:

ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TV FINALLY REVEALS THE DAYAN-KISSINGER PLOT by Barry Chamish

On the first Thursday of April at 9 PM, Israel's government-owned tv Channel One grew up and in doing so cemented my reputation for accuracy. The channel presented a 90 minute documentary and follow up discussion proving that Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Israel Defense Minister Moshe Dayan cooked up Israel's nearly disastrous Yom Kippur War so that the Arabs would win. The film is directed by Yoram Irbamatz and is called, Who Murdered Daddy? It investigates the July,1, '73 murder of Col. Yosef Alon in Washington based on evidence gathered by his wife Dvorah and his two daughters. Here is the Hebrew film with some 20% in English during interviews of American investigators:

http://www.iba.org.il/media/?recorded=1&starting=V01_1_2011-04-06_230932

Beginning in 1970, Alon was assigned for three years to the Israeli Embassy in Washington as the assistant air and naval attache. He worked vigorously to procure sophisticated American F-4 Phantoms and other weaponry for the Israeli Air Force as his country battled Egypt. Then on July 1, '73 Col. Alon, one of the founders of the Israeli Air Force, was
gunned down by his house in front of his wife and daughters. It was a sophisticated hit and not an act of terror which would have included killing his family as well. For reasons that forced the Alon family to find his killer by themselves, the FBI and Mossad closed his file shortly after. Neither identified the killer nor his reasons for murder.
Former President Ezer Weizman knew both answers but would never say. "If I told what I know, the nation would go into shock," he hinted. "Alon was a loud-mouthed drunk and couldn't be relied on to keep a secret."
What secret could have got him assassinated? The one my old friend, the history Prof. Uri Milstein, told on the show. "Kissinger and Dayan decided to give the Arabs their pride back by not preparing the IDF for war. It would cost Israel 100 or 200 sacrificed soldiers, but then the Arabs would talk peace."
Bentsi Tsfoni searched Alons out to tell his story to them. He was a soldier in the Engineering Corps who just prior to the Yom Kippur War dug up and exploded all the landmines along the 120 km length of the Suez Canal. He asked his superior why he was doing such a crazy thing and was told, "The army has a new diplomacy." Not said, the new diplomacy was to lose, but the viewers all got it.
The author Nomi Frankel was responsible for all top secret IDF radio transmissions and she swears she witnessed the following communication between the IDF Chief of Staff Gen. David Elazar and Dayan. Elazar wanted a full scale mobilization and reinforcements for his troops along the Suez because war was imminent. Dayan replied, " No. We have an agreement with Kissinger not to attack Egypt." Elazar was murdered shortly after the war.
As a military attache in the Israeli Embassy, Alon discovered, or was even apprised of, the plot to lose a war that autumn. Alon's oldest daughter concluded that, "My father would never have permitted that plan to go forward."
Gen. Yaacov Agassi gave the documentary's lasting message: "Alon was murdered by an American squad with highly sophisticated intelligence after receiving the go-ahead from Dayan."

And so ends the film but not the truth that was missing. And I know what was left out. First, I had been covering the Dayan plot for over 15 years. I wrote the following recently:

Finally we have the reason Moshe Dayan turned into Israel's top traitor of his day. As Chief-0f-Staff of the IDF, Dayan HAD to have given the order for his Air Force to sink the Liberty. Pres. Johnson may have given the actual command, the American navy did nothing to rescue the stricken ship, but Dayan had the blood of 37 American sailors on his hands and if he didn't play major league ball, he and Israel would be turned into friendless lepers.
Dayan began quickly, by handing over control of the Temple Mount, won by Israel with buckets of blood, to the Jordanian Waif, the consequences of which are felt deeply to this day. Then in October 1973, as Defense Minister, under the duress of Henry Kissinger, Dayan agreed to give Egypt and Syria a full day to regain lost territory. The consequence of not pre-empting the Yom Kippur War was over 2000 dead Jewish soldiers in two days. After Pres. Carter forced PM Begin to take Dayan into his cabinet as foreign minister in 1977, Dayan abused his position to sway Begin to accept an accord with Egypt, that gave up every square inch of the Sinai to Sadat. This decision led directly to Egypt today allowing the Sinai to be a rocket funnel for Hamas.

Now here is the Israeli who had to have approved Alon's murder, his boss, Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin had fallen hard under Kissinger's spell and even went on the stumps for Nixon in 72. Not a month after Alon's assassination, he published an analysis in the Washington Post asserting that the Arabs would and could not go to war against Israel for another generation, a message which lulled and then murdered Israelis in their thousands. If the Americans got their approval for Alon's elimination from Israel, it could only have been from the top of the heap in the US, Ambassador Rabin. And this the documentary could not say. Only one fallen saint at a time.
Rabin approved Alon's murder for peace, Pres. Shimon Peres later approved Rabin's murder for peace. Nothing has changed.

end

Now for M. Wolfberg’s Good Shabbos Story,

Good Shabbos Everyone. This week's parsha speaks about the process of return of the Metzorah, the person stricken with the spiritually-caused physical ailment of "tzoraas." The Torah details how the stricken person was brought to the Kohen, and how the Kohen purified the person to allow the person to return to the Jewish camp. While the details of that process may not seem relevant to our us today as there is no tzoraas, there is of course a message in this Parsha which speaks to the generations. Namely, even if one is outside of the Jewish camp, they can return. In many cases Jews who are "outside the camp" can be motivated to return through the actions of our Torah leaders, who are compared to the Kohen of yesteryear. The following true story illustrates this idea.
The Yom Kippur war (1973) left Israel with thousands of casualties, and one of them was Mr. Sadon. He had been lying for weeks in critical condition in Tzrifim Hospital and the doctors weren't optimistic. But his wife, sitting by his bedside, knew better. Somehow she was sure that against all odds everything would be all right.....she was writing a letter to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Mr. Sadon had never been an observant Jew, but his wife had grown up "observant" in her very early years . In fact her grandparents had been Chabad Chassidim, but she left it all when she was just a young girl; that’s the way things went in Israel unfortunately for many. Nevertheless, she knew of the greatness of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and sought his blessings by writing him a letter.
In the bed next to Mr. Sadon lay a Moroccan Jew called Mr. Shapir who also had been severely wounded and had a dim prognosis. When he heard that Mrs. Sadon was writing to the Rebbe his eyes lit up. He motioned her to come close and handed her a small book of Psalms (3 sq. cm.), a family heirloom given to him by his grandfather. He begged her to send it to the Rebbe and request that he sign it with his name and a blessing. And so Mrs. Sadon added the Tehillim to her letter and mailed them off.
Things began to improve for Sadon to the degree that two weeks later the hospital informed him that he was well enough to leave! They needed the bed for more serious cases.
After a few months at home they had almost forgotten the entire incident, and things began to return to normal, until one day Mrs. Sadon received a small envelope in the mail from the office of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Inside was Mr. Shapir’s tiny book of Psalms inscribed and signed by the Rebbe in extremely small print, and a letter addressed to her. The Rebbe repeated the blessings he wrote in the Tehillim, added a few more, and explained that although it was not his custom to sign holy books he had made an exception, and then signed his name once again. But at the bottom of the letter a footnote caught Mrs. Sadon’s eye: "P.S. Apparently you already light Shabbat Candles like every Kosher Jewish woman."
The next morning Mrs. Sadon called the hospital, only to discover that Mr. Shapir had also recovered, and left weeks earlier. She got his number from the phonebook, but there was no answer at his house. So she mailed him a letter telling him about his Tehillim, and waited for a response.
Sure enough two weeks later she heard a knock at her door and it was none other than a beaming Mr. Shapir. He had been in a recuperation center for the last few weeks, and as soon as he arrived home and saw her letter he took a taxi to her house. It wasn’t long, before he was joyously reporting the stages of his miraculous recovery, and marveling over the Rebbe’s inscription in his little book.
But the Rebbe’s footnote still burned in her mind. Something inside her kept repeating: "Light candles like every Jewish woman". Little by little she warmed up to the idea. After all, the Rebbe did write it to her, and it was the same Rebbe that just helped her and so many others with his prayers...so it can’t be THAT bad.
After a few weeks of this she decided that she would do it! This Friday she would light Shabbos candles!! She even went to the store and bought candles and two small candleholders. But when she arrived home she realized that she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know when to light them, or where to put them. She didn’t know the blessing, and most embarrassing of all; she didn’t even know whom to ask! She stood there confused for several minutes and she felt a tremendous urge to just put it off for another week, when suddenly the phone rang. It was her oldest son calling from the army; his weekend leave had been cancelled, and before he could continue she said, "Oh that’s too bad, I was looking forward to seeing you. Tell me son, is the Army Rabbi there? I want to ask him something."
A few minutes later the Rabbi had gladly answered her questions, dictated to her the blessing, and even promised that he would mail her a "Kitzur Shulchan Aruch" (Jewish Law book). Mrs. Sadon hung up the phone and did what he said. She lit the candles, put her hands over her eyes, slowly said the blessing and just stood there. When she uncovered her eyes suddenly everything was different. Suddenly everything was so pure and quiet. She was so happy...She cried.
Of course it didn’t stop there; little by little the flames began changing their lives. The next Friday, after lighting the candles she felt that some of the pictures and statues in the room sort-of "clashed" with the Shabbos lights. So she moved the offenders to a different room altogether. Then they bought a few Torah books for their bookcase, and the T.V. became silent on Shabbos.
Finally she decided to contact the local Chabad House to make her Kitchen Kosher. Then things really began to move. It wasn’t long before there were Mezuzos on all the doors. Mr. Sadon bought himself his first pair of Tefillin, and even began attending Torah classes a few times a week. And that was only the beginning. The Lubavitcher Rebbe and the Shabbos candles made the change.
Let us look to our Torah leaders for inspiration! Good Shabbos Everyone.

M. Wolfberg’s stories are sponsored by: Refuah Shleima to Reb Mordechai Menachem Mendel ben Tziporah Yitta Refuah Shleima to Tsviah bas Bracha Leah

Have a good Shabbos, in fact a great Shabbos and a wonderful, healthy, happy, sweet and kosher Pessach. If I mail another Drasha before the Chag it will be probably stories.

Rachamim Pauli